Which year to buy
Bar height: serious owner complaints to NHTSA for that year per car on the road, against this model's usual year.
2011GOOD BUYSerious complaints 1.0× usual
118 serious complaints of 144, the most about steering (57) and engine (25); per car on the road, 1.0× this model's usual year. 2 recalls.
What owners report
“The contact owns a 2011 ford flex. The contact stated while starting the vehicle, she heard an alarm and became aware that the power steering assist warning light was illuminated. The steering wheel was difficult to turn.”
An owner's complaint to NHTSA about the steering, Oct 2020
“The contact's grandmother owns a 2011 Ford Flex. The contact stated that while driving at approximately 45 MPH, the steering wheel seized. The check engine warning light was illuminated. The vehicle was towed to an independent mechanic, who replaced the rack and pinion, and power steering pump.”
An owner's complaint to NHTSA about the engine, Aug 2023
144 owner complaints · 2 recalls (check a car's VIN for open recalls) · EPA combined: 18–19 mpg · NHTSA: Not rated · 2011 trims and features
Verdicts computed from NHTSA owner complaints, defect investigations and recalls. Cars on the road from New York State registrations. (How we judge.) Data checked 2026-10-06.
Trims and features
Engines: 3.5L 6-cyl, 262–355 hp; 3.5L 6-cyl turbo, 262–355 hp · Drive: 4WD, AWD, FWD
2011 Flex trims
| Limited | SE | SEL |
|---|
base price, seating and driver-assistance equipment from NHTSA's vehicle database (vPIC), as Ford reports it. Tech and comfort features (CarPlay, heated seats, sunroof) for Ford aren't in our data yet. "—": not verified in our sources. "Varies": standard on some versions of the trim.
Year by year
| Year | Engines | Drive | Fuel economy | Crash rating | Recalls | Owner complaints | Most-reported problem | CarPlay |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2019 | 3.5L 6-cyl, 287–365 hp 3.5L 6-cyl turbo, 287–365 hp | AWD, FWD | 17–19 mpg | Not rated | 4 | 251 | Back over prevention (141) | Yes |
| 2018 | 3.5L 6-cyl, 287–365 hp 3.5L 6-cyl turbo, 287–365 hp | AWD, FWD | 17–19 mpg | Not rated | 3 | 67 | Unknown or other (19) | Yes |
| 2017 | 3.5L 6-cyl, 287–365 hp 3.5L 6-cyl turbo, 287–365 hp | AWD, FWD | 17–19 mpg | Not rated | 4 | 42 | Unknown or other (13) | Yes |
| 2016 | 3.5L 6-cyl, 287–365 hp 3.5L 6-cyl turbo, 287–365 hp | AWD, FWD | 17–19 mpg | Not rated | 3 | 98 | Back over prevention (26) | No |
| 2015 | 3.5L 6-cyl, 262–355 hp 3.5L 6-cyl turbo, 262–355 hp | AWD, FWD | 18–20 mpg | Not rated | 4 | 110 | Back over prevention (29) | No |
| 2014 | 3.5L 6-cyl, 288–355 hp 3.5L 6-cyl turbo, 288–355 hp | AWD, FWD | 18–20 mpg | Not rated | 4 | 249 | Steering (66) | No |
| 2013 | 3.5L 6-cyl, 288–355 hp 3.5L 6-cyl turbo, 288–355 hp | AWD, FWD | 18–20 mpg | Not rated | 6 | 580 | Electrical system (201) | No |
| 2012 | 3.5L 6-cyl, 262–355 hp 3.5L 6-cyl turbo, 262–355 hp | AWD, FWD | 18–19 mpg | Not rated | 2 | 64 | Steering (24) | No |
| 2011 | 3.5L 6-cyl, 262–355 hp 3.5L 6-cyl turbo, 262–355 hp | 4WD, AWD, FWD | 18–19 mpg | Not rated | 2 | 144 | Steering (57) | No |
| 2010 | 3.5L 6-cyl 3.5L 6-cyl turbo | 4WD, AWD, FWD | 18–20 mpg | Not rated | 1 | 139 | Steering (32) | No |
Owner complaints are unverified reports to NHTSA, counted as filed: older years have had longer to collect them and sales aren't adjusted for, so see Which year to buy for a fair comparison. Most-reported problem: the component named in the most complaints that year. Sources: EPA, NHTSA, Apple.
Which years have…
Apple lists CarPlay for: Flex 2017–2019 (Apple).
Every NHTSA-rated version: crash ratings, safety tech, recalls, complaints
| Year | Version | Stars | Forward collision warning | Lane departure warning | Recalls | Complaints |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2019 | Ford Flex SUV FWD | Not Rated | Optional | No | 4 | 251 |
| 2019 | Ford Flex SUV AWD | Not Rated | Optional | No | 4 | 251 |
| 2018 | Ford Flex SUV AWD | Not Rated | Optional | No | 3 | 67 |
| 2018 | Ford Flex SUV FWD | Not Rated | Optional | No | 3 | 67 |
| 2017 | Ford Flex SUV AWD | Not Rated | Optional | No | 4 | 42 |
| 2017 | Ford Flex SUV FWD | Not Rated | Optional | No | 4 | 42 |
| 2016 | Ford Flex SUV FWD | Not Rated | Optional | No | 3 | 98 |
| 2016 | Ford Flex SUV AWD | Not Rated | Optional | No | 3 | 98 |
| 2015 | Ford Flex SUV FWD | Not Rated | No | Optional | 4 | 110 |
| 2015 | Ford Flex SUV AWD | Not Rated | No | Optional | 4 | 110 |
| 2014 | Ford Flex SUV FWD | Not Rated | Optional | No | 4 | 249 |
| 2014 | Ford Flex SUV AWD | Not Rated | Optional | No | 4 | 249 |
| 2013 | Ford Flex SUV AWD | Not Rated | Optional | No | 6 | 580 |
| 2013 | Ford Flex SUV FWD | Not Rated | Optional | No | 6 | 580 |
| 2012 | Ford Flex SUV AWD | Not Rated | No | No | 2 | 64 |
| 2012 | Ford Flex SUV FWD | Not Rated | No | No | 2 | 64 |
| 2011 | Ford Flex SUV AWD | Not Rated | No | No | 2 | 144 |
| 2011 | Ford Flex SUV FWD | Not Rated | No | No | 2 | 144 |
| 2010 | Ford Flex 4-DR. w/SAB | Not Rated | No | No | 1 | 139 |
Source: NHTSA.
Every EPA-rated version: engines and combined mpg
| Year | EPA model | Engines | Combined |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2019 | Flex AWD | Auto (S6), 6 cyl, 3.5 L Auto (S6), 6 cyl, 3.5 L, Turbo |
17–18 |
| 2019 | Flex FWD | Auto (S6), 6 cyl, 3.5 L | 19 |
| 2018 | Flex AWD | Auto (S6), 6 cyl, 3.5 L Auto (S6), 6 cyl, 3.5 L, Turbo |
17–18 |
| 2018 | Flex FWD | Auto (S6), 6 cyl, 3.5 L | 19 |
| 2017 | Flex AWD | Auto (S6), 6 cyl, 3.5 L Auto (S6), 6 cyl, 3.5 L, Turbo |
17–18 |
| 2017 | Flex FWD | Auto (S6), 6 cyl, 3.5 L | 19 |
| 2016 | Flex AWD | Auto (S6), 6 cyl, 3.5 L Auto (S6), 6 cyl, 3.5 L, Turbo |
17–18 |
| 2016 | Flex FWD | Auto (S6), 6 cyl, 3.5 L | 19 |
| 2015 | Flex AWD | Auto (S6), 6 cyl, 3.5 L Auto (S6), 6 cyl, 3.5 L, Turbo |
18–19 |
| 2015 | Flex FWD | Auto (S6), 6 cyl, 3.5 L | 20 |
| 2014 | Flex AWD | Auto (S6), 6 cyl, 3.5 L Auto (S6), 6 cyl, 3.5 L, Turbo |
18–19 |
| 2014 | Flex FWD | Auto (S6), 6 cyl, 3.5 L | 20 |
| 2013 | Flex AWD | Auto (S6), 6 cyl, 3.5 L Auto (S6), 6 cyl, 3.5 L, Turbo |
18–19 |
| 2013 | Flex FWD | Auto (S6), 6 cyl, 3.5 L | 20 |
| 2012 | Flex AWD | Auto (S6), 6 cyl, 3.5 L, Turbo Auto 6-spd, 6 cyl, 3.5 L |
18 |
| 2012 | Flex FWD | Auto 6-spd, 6 cyl, 3.5 L | 19 |
| 2011 | Flex AWD | Auto (S6), 6 cyl, 3.5 L, Turbo Auto 6-spd, 6 cyl, 3.5 L |
18 |
| 2011 | Flex FWD | Auto 6-spd, 6 cyl, 3.5 L | 19 |
| 2010 | Flex AWD | Auto (S6), 6 cyl, 3.5 L, Turbo Auto 6-spd, 6 cyl, 3.5 L |
18 |
| 2010 | Flex FWD | Auto 6-spd, 6 cyl, 3.5 L | 20 |
Source: fueleconomy.gov.